Safety-shutter.



C. J. LANCASTER.

SAFETY SHUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24, 19H.

LQW GWE Patented. May 21,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

C. J. LANCASTER.

SAFETY SHUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.24. 1911.

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(3.1. LANCASTER.

SAFETY SHUTTER.

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SAFEYY SHUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24, 1917. 1 ,267 @8?B Patented May 21, 1918.

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AFETY-SHUTTER.

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Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented May 211, 1918.

Application filed August 24, 1917. Serial No. 187,990.

To all whom it may concern Be it lmown that I, Cncn. J. LANCASTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond,-in the county of Henrico, State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Safety-Shutter; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same;

This invention relates to an improved safety shutter.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved shutter, which is simple, practical and efficient in construction, and constructed entirely of sheet metal, consequently providing a strong and durable and fireproof shutter designed for use on houses, apartments, factories and various other buildings, where shutters are necessary,

hence producing a more efficient burglarproof shutter.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a metallic shutter consisting of a frame of a general outline similar to the old style wood shutter, and inwhich sheet metal slats are mounted, whereby. they may be adjusted in various ways.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shutter having an upper plurality of slats and a lower plurality of slats, the upper plurality being collapsible upwardly, and the lower plurality collapsible downwardly, in combination with means whereby each plurality maybe collapsed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of link connections between the slats, whereby the slats may be easily collapsed, said link connections being so arranged and constructed as to prevent binding, during their collapsing actions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for holding-the slats of the shutter in uniform parallelism, and means to maintain such parallelism, when raising ,or lowering the slats.

A further object of the invention is the provision of raisable and lowerable slats, whereby a thorough ventilation may be obtained without opening the shutter frame.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for locking the adjacent end slats of the upper and" lower pluralities together, when the upper plurality is lowered and the lower plurality raised.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means carrying said locking means, and also having such connections with said slats, whereby they may be tilted on different angles, the slats of each plurality regardless of their angles being uniform in parallelism.

In practical fields, the details of construction may necessitate alterations, falling within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an improved shutter constructed in accordance with the invention and applied to a window frame.

' Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on line 2 -2 of Fig. 1, showing the upper and lower plurality of slats brought together.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the improved shutter, also showing the-upper and lower pluralities of slats brought together.

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the shutter, showing the upper and lower pluralities of slats raised and lowered, consequently entirely collapsed together.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 4, showing the slats of the shutter in edge elevation, and also illustrating the link connections between the slats.

Fig. 8 is an edge view of thelower part of theshutter, and illustrating a portion of the Window frame in section, and also showing the means for tilting the slats of the lower plurality on difi'erent. angles.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a portion of the upper plurality of slats, showing their link connections, and a portion of the means for manipulating the slats.

Fig. 10 is an edge view of the upper part of the shutter, and a portion of the window frame in section, and showing the means for tilting the slats of the upper plurality on different angles.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view of several slats of the lower plurality, showing them in, their collapsed condition.

Referring more especially to the. drawin'gs, 1 designates a conventional form of window frame, which in Fig. 1 of the drawing 'is shown in elevation, and as viewing the same from the interior of a room, and 2 denotes the improved shutter frame, a part of which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. This shutter frame in general outline resembles the shape of the usual wood shutter frame,'and as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the upper end and siderails are U-shaped in cross section. The side rails 3 of the shutter frame are" provided with guide slots 4, and

5 and 6 denote the plurality of slats of the upper and lower sets; Each slat of either set is constructed of sheet metal, and adja-\ cent each end of each slat transverse slots 7 and 8 are constructed. The inner ends of the slots 7 and 8 almost join, in which case there is a small neck 9 formed. The necks 9 engage the guide slots 4, while the slots 7 and 8 engage the flanges 10 of the shutter frame, and by this arrangement and constructlon the slats are guided in their raising and lowering movements. On each slat between the slots 7.and 8 and eachextreme end of the slat, a U-shaped cutaway portion provided with a laterally extending lug 18.

which overlies the inner edge of the link 13, as shownclearly in Figs. 3, 8, 9, and 10. Each lug 18 is so constructed and so arranged overlying the link 13, as to prevent the links of ecah pair from entirely straightening out. In fact, by means of the lug 18, when the slats are separated as shown in Fig. 9, the links 13 and 14. are held at a slight obtuse angle to each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 10, so that when it is desired to raise the slats or collapse them, said slats will move or collapse toward each other without binding, in other words the links will pivot without buckling. The marginal edge 19 of the cutaway portion 11 (which is without the lug 12) of every other slat of each set has pivoted thereto as shown at 20 a link 21, which in turn is pivoted at 22 to a link 23. The link 23 is in turn pivoted at 24 to onev edge of the lug 12 of the cutaway portion 11 of every'other slat. Pivoted at 25 to the opposite edge of said lug 12 is a link '26,

which in turn is pivoted at 27 to a link 28, which in turn is pivoted at 29 to the edge 30 opposite the edge 19 of the cutaway portion 11 of every other slat. This arrangement of links 21, 23, 26 and 28 is carried out, whereby the slats of both sets are additionally connected sequentially, and to main-' tain them in uniform parallelism, whether they are opened, separated or disposed at angles. Each link 21 and each link 26, ad

is provided with a lateral lug 31, to overlie its adjacent link, and to prevent such joined links from straightening out entirely. In other words, by means of the lugs 31 said links 21 and 23, or 26 and 28, are held at a very slight obtuse angle, as-shown in Figs. 8 and 10,'whereby, when it is desired to bring the slats together or collapse them, the

jacent where it is pivoted to itsadjacent link cated on the inner side of the window frame substantially midway of its height whereby said cable or .the like may be ulled. A cable 37 is connected to an eye of the opposite projection 32 and extends upwardly through the side rail of the shutter frame and over a pulley 38, and thence over a puliley 39 near but on an axis at right angles to the axis of the pulley 35, and is then extended through the window frame on the interior of the room terminatin in a handle 40 suspended substantially mi way of the height of the window frame. Thus it will be seen that by pulling upon said cables 34 and 37 the slats of the upper plurality may be collapsed upwardly, as shown in Fig. 4 clearly. Connected to the opposite projections 33 are cables 41 and 42. The cable 41 passes upwardly to one of the side rails of the shutter .frame and over a pulley 43, and passes through the upper part of the shutter frame to the interior of the room and terminates in a handle 44 located substantially midway of the height of the window frame.

The cable 42 or the like extends upwardly.

through the other side rail of the shutter frame and passes over a pulley 45 and through the top rail of the shutter frame and thence over the pulley 46, and then through the shutter frame to the interior of the room and terminates in a handle 47, which is also arranged substantially midway of the height of the window frame. It is to be noted that the lower plurality of slats may collapse downwardly by gravitation. However, to raise the lower plurality of slats, it is requiredthat a pulling action be imparted on the cables 41 and 42. The side rails of the shutter frame midway their heights have mounted in bearings thereof shafts 48 and 49. These shafts are designed.

to have slight axial movements, the purpose of which will appear latgr. Mounted upon memos-z the shaft 48 and ke ed thereto by the pins 50 are pulleys 51 an 52, and mounted upon the shaft 48 and between the said pulleys is a sleeve53, in which said shaft 48 is allowed to slightly rock. A'spring 54 is interposed between the pulley'52 and one wall of the shutter frame, so as to hold the other pulley 51 adjacent the opposite wall of the shutter frame. The inner end of the shaft 48 has a rectangular portion 55. By applying any suitable means (such as will be described later) to the rectangular end 55 the shaft 48 may be rocked. A suitable cable or cord 56 is connected to and wound partially about the pulley 51 in one direction, and has its upper end connected to one corner of one end of the up ermost slat of the upper plurality. Anot er cable or cord 57 is connected to and wound about the other pulley 52 in the opposite direction, and has its upper end connected to the opposite corner of the same end to which the cable 56 is connected of the uppermost slat of the upper plurality. Hence, when the shaft 48 is rocked in one direction or the other, it will be noted that since the slats are joined sequentially, they may be tilted on their pivots, to assume uniform inclinations. The shaft 49 is provided with pulleys 59 and 60. These pulleys are fast on the shaft, and have cables or cords 61 and 62 connected thereto and wound thereabout in opposite directions, and their lower ends are connected at 63 to the adjacent corners of one end of the lower slat of the lower plurality of slats, so that by turning the shaft 49 in one direction or the other the slats 6 may be tilted at uniform inclinations. A sleeve 64 is also loose upon the shaft 49 between the pulleys 59 and 60, and there is a spring 65 interposed between the pulley 59 and one wall of the shutter frame, serving to hold the other pulley 60 normally adjacent the opposite wall of the shutter frame. Said sleeves 53 and 64 have radial arms 66 and 67, which are provided with hooks 68 and 69. These hooks are desi ed to engage the projections 32 and 33 o the meeting slats of the upper and lower plurality of slats, that is, when the upper plurality of slats is lowered and the lower plurality of slats is raised, thereby holding said slats in such lowered and raised positions,

In order to rock or move each shaft 48 and 49, the window frame where each shaft prowill also be moved axially, which will release the hooks 68 from the projections 32 and 33. Thesame functions may be performed by the shaft 49, by correspondingly operating the other shaft 71 and its crank. The lower end of the shutter frame is provided with an extension 80, which is U- shaped, and fits the shutter frame. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the sides of the U- shaped extension are provided with slots 81, for the reception of the screws 82, and it is to be'noted that by loosening and tightening said screws 82, said U-shaped extension may be adjusted and secured in its adjusted position.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is 1. In a shutter, a shutter frame, upper and lower pluralities of slats mounted in guides of said frame and having link connections whereby said slats may be tilted on uniform angles and collapsed upwardly and downwardly, means for bringing together and separating said upper and lower pluralities of slats, a sliding member, the meetipg slats of the upper and lower pluralities having projections, said sliding member having hooks to engage said projections for locking the upper and lower pluralities of slats together.

2. In a shutter, a shutter frame, upper pluralities of slats mounted in guides of said frame and having link connections whereby said slats may be tilted on uniform angles and collapsed upwardly and downwardly, means for bringing together and separating .said upper and lower pluralities of slats, a sliding member, the meeting slats of the upper and lower pluralities having projections, said sliding member having hooks to engage said projections for locking the upper and lower pluralities of slats together, said sliding member adapted to be rotated and having means connected to said slats for tiltingthem on uniform angles.

3. I11 a safety shutter, a shutter frame, upper and lower pluralities 0f slats slidably mounted in guides of said frame, said slats having connecting means whereby they arejoined sequentlally and in .parallelism,

engage said devices for locking the upper' and lower pluralities of slats together, and

means connecting said elements and the slats, whereby, as said elements are rocked,

lower pluralitiesof slats, whereby, as said element is rocked in one direction or the other, said slats may be tilted on uniform angles.

5. Ina safety shutter, a shutter frame, upper and lower pluralities of slats mounted in guides of said frame, means for pivotally uniting aid slats sequentially, the meeting slats of the upper and lower pluralities of slats having projections, axially slidable and rockable elements having devices to engage said projections for locking the upper and lower pluralities of slats together, means connecting said elements and the upper and lower pluralities of slats, whereby, as said element is rocked in one direction or the other, said slats may be tilted on uniform angles, and means for operating said elements either axially or rockably.

6. In a safety shutter, a shutter'frame, a plurality of parallel pivotally united slats mounted in guides of said frame, a rockable element, and means wound about said element in opposite directions and connected thereto, and in turn connected to said slats, whereby as said element is rocked, said slats may be tilted on uniform angles, and means carried by said element to engage adjacent slats for locking the same together.

7. In a'safety shutter, a shutter frame, a plurality of parallel pivotally united slats mounted inguides of said frame, a rockable element, and means wound about said element in opposite directions and connected thereto, and in turn connected to said slats, whereby as said element is rocked, said slats may be tilted on uniform angles, means carried by said element to engage adjacent slats for locking the same together, and means for rocking said element, and for sliding said element, whereby said locking means may be disengaged from said adjacent slats.

8. In a safety shutter, a shutter frame, a plurality of parallel pivotally united slats slidably mounted in guides of said frame, means for collapsing said slats upwardly, and whereby said slats may lower by gravitation when said means is released, an axially slidable and rockable element mounted in bearings of said frame, the lowermost slat having projections, a sleeve axially movable with said element and in which said to engage said projections to lock the slats in their lowered positions, and means for sliding said element to engage or disengage said hooks to and from the projections.

9. In a safety shutter, a shutter frame, a plurality of parallel pivotally united slats slidably mounted in guides of said frame, means for collapsing said slats upwardly, and whereby said slats may lower by gravitation when said means is released, an axially slidable and rockable element mounted in bearings of said frame, the lowermost slat having projections, a sleeve axially movable with said element and in which said element is rockable, said sleeve having hooks to engage said projections to lock the slats in their lowered positions, means wound about said element in opposite directions and connected thereto, and in turn connected to said slats, whereby, as said element is rocked in one direction or the other, said slats may be tilted onv uniform angles, and means for either sliding or rocking said element to element is rockable, said sleeve having hooks operate said hooks or said last named means.

10. In a safety shutter, a shutter frame having guides, a, plurality of parallel slats mounted in said guides, means for collapsing said slats upwardly, a plurality of pairs of I posite corners at one end of said s ats, each pair of links connecting the correspondiig ends of two adjacent slats being in stagger relations to those links connecting corresponding ends at the opposite ends of the same slats, the end portions of said slats having cutaway portions, the cutaway portions of every other slat havin lugs projecting from their crotches, an links arranged in pairs and pivotally united and connecting the lugs with the marginal opposite edges of the cutaway portions of every other slat without said lugs, said'links havends at the opposite ends of the ing means at their pivotal unions to hold I the links at very slight obtuse angles, whereby they may pivot without binding when collapsing the slats.

12. In a safety shutter, a shutter'frame having guides, a plurality of parallel slats mounted in said guides, means arranged in staggered relations connecting the corre spondingcorners at every other end of each two adjacent slats, the end portions of said slats having cutaway portions, the cutaway portions of every other slat having lugs proectmg from their crotches, links arranged 1n pairs and pivotally united and connecting the lugs with the marginal opposite edges of the cutaway portions of evegg other slat without said lugs, and means jacent the ivotal connections of the links to hold the inks at slight obtuse angles, whereb they may pivot without binding when co lap g the slats, andmeans for collapsing the slats.

13. In a safety shutter, a shutter frame having (guides, a plurality of parallel slats mounte in said guides, means for collapsmg said slats upwardly, a plurality of pairs of links, said pairs of links being arranged in staggered relations and connecting the op osite corners at one end of said slats, eac air of links connecting the corre spondmg ends of two adjacent slats being in staggered relations to those links connecting corresponding ends at the opposite ends of the same slats, the end portlons of said slats having cutaway parts, means sequ'en tially connecting the crotches of every other slat with the marginal opposite edges of the cutaway parts of the intermediate slats, said means having devices .for preventing the gems from binding when collapsing the 14. In a safety shutter, a shutter frame, a

and having devices to engage the adjacent slats of the upper and'lower series to hold the same drawn together.

15. In a safety shutter, a frame, upper and lowerseries of parallel cou led slats in guides of said frame, means or drawing the two series together at a point between the ends of the frame, and a reciprocating device having means engaging the adjacent end slats to lock them together.

16. In a safety shutter, a frame, upper and lower series of coupled slats in guides of said frame, means for drawing the two series together at a point between the ends of the frame, a movable device having elements engagini the adjacent end slats of the series to Ice them together, said device being revoluble and having means wound thereabout and connected to the slats for tilting them on difierent angles.

17. In a safety shutter, a frame, upper and lower series of coupled shutter slats in guides of said frame, a reciprocatin and revoluble device having elements, a apted when the device is reclprocated, to en ge the adjacent end slats of the series to ock them together.

18. In a safety shutter, a frame, upper and lower series of coupled shutter slats in ides of said frame, a reeiproeatin and revoluble device having elements, a apted when the device is reorprocated; to engage the adjacent end slats of the series to ock them together, and means wound around said device and connected to the slam, whereby as the device is rotated the slam may be tiltfi.

19. In a safety shutter, a frame, up er and lower series of coupled slats in gui es of said frame, a device movable in one direction and havin hooked arms engaging the adjacent end s ats of the series to 00 them together, said device being movable at right angles to its first movementand having means connected thereto and to the slats for tilting them on difierent angles.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnem.

CECE l-LANCASTER.

Witnemes:

G. L. Enema, A. S, Emma. 

